Any chain-smoker or coffee drinker will tell you that achieving a ‘Hollywood smile’ is borderline impossible.  There are plenty of products and services available on the market to enhance that crooked smile to leave you flashing the pearly whites in no time.

Straightening Teeth

With the mere mention of the word braces and most minds will cast back to the school playground with spotty teenagers glancing a mouthful of metal.  Braces have developed significantly since the awkward days of the wired train-tracks in the 1990s.

The Invisalign system effectively straightens your smile using clear aligners that look like transparent gum shields – slowly moving your teeth into their desired position.  The aligners are changed every two weeks and unlike braces of old, they are not a permanent accessory so you can take them out when you eat and clean your teeth.

While this is an effective method, if you are looking for an immediate game-changer then look elsewhere.  Treatment usually takes several visits and many months to complete.

Whitening Teeth

There are various different methods of tooth whitening available such as toothpastes, over the counter whitening kits, and the more professionally conducted trips to the dentist.  They each work on the same principal.  Much like a trip to the hairdresser – whitening is achieved by bleaching your teeth to lighten its natural shade.

Toothpastes are effective when it comes to removing surface stains, but they do not change the natural colouring of the tooth.  Over-the-counter tooth whitening kits will leave a long-lasting change, but essentially they contain a weak hydrogen peroxide which is not as effective as the stronger products used by the dentist.

For the best results, visit the dentist for laser bleaching.  He or she will place a rubber seal around your teeth to protect your gums.  Then the bleaching gel is put onto your teeth and a special, bright light is used to speed up the whitening process.  

Treatment usually takes an hour, providing immediate results.  Before booking in to get this completed, always check the credibility of their laser service by making sure they are not using a cheaper and less potent Matrix light.

Filling Teeth

While devices such as aligners will straighten your teeth and laser surgery will whiten your teeth – if all you need fixing is a chipped, damaged or discoloured tooth then veneers are the best option for you.  Porcelain veneers can be placed over the front surfaces of your teeth to make them look straight, with the added bonus that they can also improve the colour and shape of your teeth as well.

Porcelain veneers have been a favourite amongst many celebrities for a number of years now.  Often referred to as ‘instant orthodontics’ – straight teeth can be achieved in a single trip to the dentist using this option.  The only downside is some of your naturally healthy tooth structure will need to be removed for the veneer to affix to; and veneers do not last forever so will eventually need replacing.

Replacing Teeth

For as little as £2,000 you can replace a lost tooth in as little as an hour.  Conventional dental implants involve placing a screw in the jaw, which is attached to a ‘post’ with a porcelain replacement fitted in the previous hole.

Alternatively ‘guided zygomatic’ implants are a specially extended implant – up to 50mm compared with ten to 15mm for normal implants.  It can be screwed to the cheek bone rather than the jaw bone.  The patient first undergoes a 3D scan of the jaw so the implant can be guided in without the need for surgery and the implants are as strong as real teeth.

For the cheaper option you can always go for Dentures made from acrylic and plastic which fit over the gum and worn during the day.  However, they are often ill-fitted, can move around in the mouth, and without the tooth in the jaw, the bone can start to dissolve, causing shrunken cheeks.  Essentially, where teeth are concerned – you get what you pay for.

 

 

Share this article: